PNP probes slay of 2 Anakpawis members

By Connie Calipay and Samuel Toledo

Investigators of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol (PRO5) are digging deeper into the shooting to death of two civilians identified as members of the progressive Anakpawis Party-list in Barangay San Vicente, Barcelona, Sorsogon last Jan. 15.

In an interview on Jan. 18, Maj. Malu Calubaquib, PRO5 spokesperson, said the victims were identified as live-in partners Silvestre Erlano Fortades Jr., alias “Sanggatang,” 64, and Rosemarie Galias, 63, both residing in Barangay Poblacion Norte in Barcelona town.

Quoting witnesses, Calubaquib said the victims were shot at close range while selling vegetables at the town market.

“The four suspects remained unidentified as they fled on board two motorcycles after the shooting,” she said.

The police said the victims were rushed to a hospital but were both declared dead on arrival.

Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, Bicol police regional director, said “The public is assured that your police will discover as to who is behind these killings. We remain firm and relentless with our efforts to probe the person behind the killing of these individuals. Apart from this, we have also stepped up our campaigns against criminalities such as the maximum deployment of personnel and conduct of Commission on Elections (Comelec) checkpoints in the various areas in the Bicol region.” (PNA)